A rough draft of a concept story.

Would like your input on what you think about this one.

I feel it might have potential.

So if you like, I might continue this at a later date.

Enjoy.

(Remnant - Ruby, Age 4)

Today…

Was a horrible day.

She did not understand what was happening around her.

Why was everyone so sad? Did something bad happen? What was her sister so angry about? Why was her dad so quiet? Her uncle so frustrated? Why were there so many people here? Dressed so nice? Why did she have to put on a dress? Was it a special occasion?

Was Mom coming home?

Then why was everyone crying and upset?

She didn't get what was happening!

She just wanted to know!

Gently reaching to her father, she softly tugged his sleeve to get his attention. And sorrowful blue eyes peered into perplexed silver ones. "Dad, what's wrong? Why is everyone so sad? When is Mom coming home?"

Shuddering at her words, tears spilled down her father's face. Try as he might, the words could come. "Ruby…"

"Ruby…" Her uncle's voice resonated sullenly behind her, his arm drawing her softly from her father and drew her eyes into his. "This is going to be hard to hear, honey. I wish I could tell you Summer was coming home…"

"She is gone, Ruby. She's not going to keep her promise."

Ruby's eyes shimmered and widened as she looked into her uncle's eyes. And she knew from that look…

No… Her mom…

Wasn't coming home? What did that mean? Her mom was so strong that she couldn't…

Could she?

They misted over, and her throat burned. As her uncle wrapped his strong arms around her and embraced her. Her eyes subtly shone, a dazzling glow filled within, and a hollow scream filled the room as Ruby let her heart weep.

"Nnnnoooo!"

And a silver light swept the room, her eyes illuminated with an unnatural glow.

"Nani! Who is crying?"

(Konoha - Naruto, Age 5)

Today was supposed to be a great day.

Now it wasn't feeling so much like it.

He finally moved out of that stupid orphanage, away from that mean lady and the other kids. He now had his own place, even if it didn't feel quite right! Like something was missing!

Got a daily stipend or whatever that was! He was getting Ryo from the old man, and that was cool! He even got his own plant! He had something to take care of that was his own! That was awesome! He had no idea how to take care of it, but that was beside the point! It was his, and that is what mattered!

But now, he was lost and confused. Did not understand anything he was supposed to do. He knew a little about how to cook and clean from the orphanage, but that was about it. He could clean something simple and the same with making something simple if it was with a microwave, but…

He didn't understand any of the machines here. What they did or how he was supposed to use any of them. So he went out to spend a little of the Ryo the old man gave him, who told him to spend it wisely as he would need it for groceries.

What were groceries? What did that mean? What were those? They were obviously something important he was supposed to get, but…

He didn't understand!

And after walking through the village, he was upset and didn't care!

Everyone was so mean to him! Everyone he talked to would either glare at him, barely interact with him or straight up ignore him! Some were flat-out rude and called him names behind his back! He didn't understand them or knew what the words meant, but he knew they were being ugly!

And when he went to the shop to figure out what to buy, the shopkeeper was so rude to him! Didn't explain things at all! He asked what groceries were, and everything, and the man rolled his eyes at him. He barely knew how to count and didn't even know how much the ryo he was given was worth, so he struggled to figure out what he could buy…

And the shopkeeper kept yelling at him for it!

By the time he had a few things he could buy with what he had, he had left with a few bags, and now he didn't know what to do with any of it!

Sitting back in his house before his refrigerator, Naruto had tears soaking his cheeks. Rubbing his eyes while trying to get over what had happened, he put the only thing of milk he bought as he looked at the rest of what he bought.

How did he even make this stuff?

What was ramen anyways?

The strange thing was, as he wiped away the tears, there was this burning, painful sensation he felt searing through his right hand. He winced and bit his tongue, never experiencing pain like this before. It was…

What was that? There was a sound? It was peculiar and something he knew. His heart clenched as it felt like something calling him as it felt like he did just seconds before.

It was the sound of crying. And not only that, it was a girl crying. And her shriek echoed and forced him to cover his ears.

"Nnnnoooo!"

"Nani! Who is crying?" Naruto looked around, bewildered, with his heart racing as he heard the girl's cries echoing all around him but could locate her. "Are you hurt? Where are you? What's wrong?"

Looking up and down his new place, Naruto scoured high and low as the cries filled his ears. But he could not locate them. It was a little girl crying. He was sure of it!

"Girl, are you here!"

Wasn't coming from his bedroom or outside on his little lookout. Would have spotted her on that!

"In here!"

Definitely wasn't in the bathroom! No place to hide in there!

"What about this weird place?"

Not in the room with the weird machines that he didn't know what did but spun around and made water and got hot! Wasn't hiding in those!

"Come on! Where are you?"

She wasn't in the entryway, and that left the kitchen, where he started! And she wasn't there!

Where was this girl? And why was she so upset? It sounded like something terrible had just happened to her!

"Okay, this isn't funny! Where are you?" Naruto shouted, desperately searching for the source of the crying as he could not find it but knew she was there. "Look, I'm not scary! I promise! I won't hurt you. I'm here to help. Just let me help you. I'm having a bad day too…"

"H-hello?"

The girl spoke back!

She could hear him! Yes! Okay, something was happening! Now if he could talk to her, he could help!

"Hey, where are you? I've been hearing you cry for some time and looking for you! Are you okay?" Naruto called out in concern, still looking for the sniffling girl.

"I'm sorry…" The girl responded sulkily. "I am at home."

"Nani! What? But that's where I am?" Naruto shouted, alarmed at what he heard. "Look, how can that be! Your home, I'm home! Something doesn't seem right! Why can I hear you cry?"

"I don't know… I hear you too…" The girl sniffled, and Naruto could feel she was holding back tears and was beginning to become scared.

And while he was scared, he heard a girl crying somehow. He didn't want to make her cry anymore.

So despite his overwhelming panic, he forced a smile as he tried to comfort the girl while still searching for her. "Hey, my name is Naruto. Uzumaki Naruto. What's yours?"

"Ruby. Ruby Rose."

"Nice to meet you, Ruby." Naruto beamed, trying to pass his positive energy over to the girl even though he could see her but clearly could hear her no matter what room he was in. "I heard you crying. What's the matter?"

The girl quieted, and he could hear her sobs clearly, her breath hitching as she struggled through her sobbing. Naruto felt his heart clench. He knew this kind of crying. Something bad had happened, and he could feel it.

"I… I miss my mom." Ruby's voice choked through her sobs, unable to hold back her tears. "I want her to come home! …I hate those stupid Grimm! Hate them!"

His cerulean eyes deepened, a golden glow sparking within as Naruto stopped his search for the little girl. Tucking his head, he bit his lip, closed his eyes, and wiped the tears that were trying to force them in his eyes. He had to stay strong! Couldn't cry now.

Could do that later…

He knew that feeling well. How often he thought the same thoughts when he was in the orphanage. That his mother and father would come back for him, if they were even alive, and take him home. He was sure many kids in the orphanage had the same thoughts, but it was doubly true for him. Everyone there was so…

Mean…

"She's gone, huh?" Naruto found himself in his bedroom, sliding down and slumping against his bed, bringing his knees up to his chest and wrapping his arm around them. "You know, I miss my mom. Dad too. They never came home…"

Ruby's breath deepened, and her sobs stiffened. She still struggled to catch her breath, finding it difficult. But her words came. "Y-your mom… And dad…"

"Yeah." Naruto numbly nodded, gazing emptily at the vacant apartment, finally understanding what didn't feel right about this place before. "Never got to see them. Old man tells me they… Died when the Nine-Tailed Fox attacked the village… And now I am all alone. In this place."

Ruby sobbed once more. This time her tears were not just for her. She was shedding tears for him as Naruto leaned against his bed. And hearing that, he reached out and called for her. "Hey, it's okay. It's sad. But I know they're still with me. They gave everything to protect me and the village from that stupid fox… They wouldn't have done it if they didn't love me…"

"And that makes me happy to know…" Naruto shed a single tear as a sorrowful smile curled on his lips.

A few sniffles kept it from being a complete silence, letting Naruto know the girl was still there. He didn't know where she was or why he could hear her. But she was there. And he had been before too. But somehow, now that he was talking to her…

This place didn't feel so empty. He felt like he had a friend to talk to. Even if she was terribly sad at the moment.

Finally, he could hear her voice trying to break through her sadness again, and his eyes lifted. "Mom's still with me?"

"Yeah, she is. She always will be. Because she loved you." Naruto smiled and closed his eyes, comforting the girl.

"Thank you…" Ruby's voice whispered before he could no longer hear her voice, and his attention snapped to his door, hearing it burst open.

"Naruto!"

The old man's voice!

Why was he here? Didn't he say he was going back to the office…

"Are you okay?" The old man swept into his bedroom, stopping at the entry as his eyes shimmered upon his gaze locked onto the boy leaning against his bed. "By the Sages… Naruto?"

"What is it, old man?" Naruto blinked, finding his action odd as he stared straight at him as if observing something strange.

This prompted Naruto to look at himself…

"Old man! What is this? What's going on?" Naruto panicked at the sight of his body, not understanding what was happening around him.

As golden sparkles slowly faded from around him, a light golden pulse faded from around him.

And the imprint of a sun on his right hand fading from existence.

"Thank you…" Rolled off Ruby's lips, a sullen smile on her lips as she looked up at a picture of her mother through misty eyes. "Naruto… I…"

"Ruby?" She heard her uncle's voice as the door to her room opened. "Hey, little Rose. I know things aren't going… Ruby? Are you okay?"

"Yes?" Ruby turned her attention to her uncle, sitting on her bed, her eyes emblazoned with silver wings glowing that were dissipating and fading from existence. "I feel okay now… Talking to my friend… Feel a little better…"

"Don't hear him anymore…" Ruby sulked, dipping her head down, hoping he would respond like he had been before. "He must be gone now."

"Ruby…" She heard her uncle's voice waver before she felt his hand rest gently on her back. "Hey, kid, let's go get something to eat. Everyone has left now. Your sister is worried about you."

Nodding, Ruby weakly slid off the bed, needing help keeping her balance, taking her uncle's hand as he led her out of the room.

What she didn't see was his frown and squinted eyes as he was puzzled about what was occurring with his niece.

Naruto wasn't sure what to make of the start of this day. He had just woken up and was trying to figure out how to start his day.

It was the old Hokage again at his door. But this time, he wasn't alone.

At his side was this beautiful woman with hip-length, faded black hair and striking crimson eyes. And as she stared curiously at her, he somehow didn't notice a slight nod the two shared after letting them inside his apartment.

Instead, he continued to stare before finally turning to the Hokage with his head tilted. "Whose this, old man?"

The woman bit back a smug smirk and forced a look of impassiveness. The Hokage grumbled under his breath, muttering something Naruto could not hear. Instead, the Hokage held out his hand to introduce the woman. "I apologize for yesterday, Naruto. It came to my realization that when I placed you here, I failed you. You still aren't entirely ready to be on your own yet and still have many things to learn, so I hired someone for a few hours in the morning to help and teach you how to take care of your place."

"About time," The woman harshly murmured under her voice, uncaring of the cold, intimidating stare she earned from the Hokage for her words.

"Oh," Naruto's shoulders shrunk, and he tucked his head down, looking away vacantly. "Another matron, huh…"

The woman frowned and then cast a deeply dissatisfied glance at the Hokage. Then displaying a caring smile, she approached and knelt before Naruto, placing a soft hand on his shoulder and bringing his cerulean eyes into her onyx ones. "I will be nothing of the sort, dear. In fact, I have a son your age that I would like you to meet. I think the two of you could be the best of friends if given the chance."

"Really?" Naruto's face brightened immediately, his eyes shining upon hearing those words, excited to have a chance to make a friend.

"Absolutely. He needs to get out and make a few friends." The woman closed her eyes and returned the smile, sharing the enthusiasm. "He's a sullen little boy that tries too hard to be like his big brother and father. I think having a friend would be the best thing for him and you, don't you say?"

"Yeah!" Naruto eagerly nodded, ready to make himself a new friend. "Can we go now?"

The woman chuckled, her gaze meeting the Hokage's almost defiantly before gleaming at Naruto. "In a bit, child. We have many things I have to help you with. This place is a mess, and I know where to teach you to take care of your place!"

"I will leave you to it then," The Hokage sighed, understanding the look but knew Naruto was in safe hands as he had explicitly chosen her for the job.

"Yes, that will be fine." She closed her eyes, keeping her smile bright as she tried to match Naruto's energy level. "Oh, where are my manners? I do believe I forgot to introduce myself."

"I am Uchiha Mikoto. It's a pleasure to meet you, Naruto."

It was a long night. She couldn't sleep. Her sister restlessly shifted and rolled in her bed next to hers.

Yang was having a hard time too…

Lying in bed, Ruby gazed at the window aimlessly. Her eyes were drawn to the shattered moon, looking upon it in awe. Wondering what could have caused it? She was always curious. It was why she loved stories. And Fairy Tales. They were so magical. So amazing to listen to.

They always calmed her down. Brought her a certain feeling within.

Why she loved listening to stories before going to bed. When her mom or dad read to them…

And now Dad was sitting alone in his room, and Mom was…

A single tear was shed from her eyes and down onto the sheets below.

She missed her mom and wished she was here now. Maybe Dad would be okay then. Everything would be better…

They were alone today. It was just the two of them.

Uncle Qrow had left last night having something he needed to take care of. And her dad was in his room. Just sitting there. He had hardly moved. Even when she tugged at him, he didn't respond.

It was like he wasn't there…

Her stomach rumbled, and she clenched her stomach. She was so hungry. They hadn't eaten anything today. Yang had tried, but she couldn't figure it out. She didn't know how to operate the oven, and instead, she burnt the pan and food inside it…

They were out of cereal, and their uncle said he would bring some groceries back tomorrow when he left. He hadn't come back…

Yang went to bed after that incident in frustration, crying and screaming in frustration. Not that she could blame her sister. She didn't know what she was doing. Her mom and dad had always done the cooking. They barely even had to make their own bowls of cereal…

And they were always out fighting the Grimm too. It was amazing, just what they were capable of doing. But now…

More tears fell to the sheets and pillow.

Ruby didn't know what to do! She was hungry and afraid!

What was going to happen? Where did her uncle go? Was he going to go missing too? She didn't want that! She just wanted someone to be here with her! Help her!

Talk to her!

"Ruby?"

Silver eyes open wide at hearing that voice.

It was her friend!

She heard his voice again.

"Naruto!"

It had been quite a long day. But he had learned a lot! And he might have made a friend…

He wasn't so sure about that, but Sasuke was…

Well, he was. Naruto didn't know how to put the kid. He wasn't nice, but he wasn't mean, so that was good. He was just kind of there.

So he'd take that.

His mother was really lovely, though!

…Even if she worked him hard when she was teaching him.

But he understood it. He got what she was talking about, and it made sense. And she wasn't being rude about it! She took her time and explained everything.

Even how to take care of his plant! He now knew how to do that! That was important!

Sighing contently as he laid back in his bed, gazing out the window, Naruto felt this day was a success compared to the last. And most importantly…

This place didn't seem so empty. It felt…

No, it was empty again.

He frowned and closed his eyes. That was just a feeling he would have to get used to. After leaving the orphanage, whether he liked everyone or not, it felt like other people were there…

Keeping an eye on him. Making sure he was okay. Even if it wasn't the same, he liked to imagine it was a similar feeling to what he liked to believe having a family was like. And now he didn't even have that.

"I wonder what my parents were like…" Naruto absently asked himself, opening his eyes and gazing out the window and toward the Hokage monument and at one head in particular, smiling softly. "I hope they were brave just like him… He was awesome. The stories I heard about him, man…"

Naruto stopped as he could hear something. It was soft at first, almost inaudible, but he was aware of it. He could feel it. It felt very…

Sad.

Almost as if it was someone crying…

His eyes widened as he had a realization.

"Ruby?" He called out gently, having an idea of who it was, and reached out for her.

And he was proven correct as her voice sounded alarmed as she called back, alarmed herself. "Naruto! I can hear you again!"

"Same! Are you okay?" Naruto sat up, frowning as he heard her voice.

"No…" Ruby choked back her tears and sobbed softly. "So hungry… Dad hasn't moved all day… No cereal… Sister couldn't cook…"

"You haven't eaten?" Naruto's face showed alarm before he bit back a snarl. "Okay, let's see. I just learned how to cook a little today. Do you have any noodles? I think I can help you through it if you listen to me."

It was a moment before Ruby responded as if she was moving, but he heard her response as if she was moving along, huffing for breath. "Okay… I will try. Oven is a bit big for me…"

"Yeah, it's a bit of a pain for me too." Naruto nodded in agreement, thinking of the instructions Mikoto was giving him today to help Ruby through her trouble. "Once you are in the kitchen, let me know. Grab a chair and put it in front of the oven to help you reach."

"Here," Came a few moments later as Ruby, her voice soft and weak but still present. "Have lots of noodles. Don't know what to grab… What this? Ra-men?"

"Yes! That!" Naruto called out excitedly, nodding furiously. "That is easy to make! Pack or cup!"

"Pack…"

"Do you know where the pots are kept?"

"Yang burned one…"

"Who, never mind…" Naruto started before realizing she said she had a sister, and that was who probably did that when she told her sister couldn't cook. "Okay, that complicates things. Ah, shoot. I wish I was there. Mikoto showed me how to clean a burned pan today. That's really hard…"

"Oh…" Ruby's voice sullenly expressed, seemingly depressed and ready to sob again.

Then her following words changed everything.

"I wish you were here too…"

Silver light began to envelop Naruto, coating and covering his very being. His eyes widened as he jumped up in horror, not sure what was happening as again he noted the light golden aura was mixed with it, unsure what was happening.

But now, his attention was drawn to his lookout door as an unfamiliar man with gravity-defying silver hair and a porcelain mask burst through, looking upon the scene as his bedroom was filled with a silver light.

An Uzumaki Naruto vanished.

"Umph!"

Naruto slammed face-first into a hard floor.

Then he heard a young girl scream and tumble before a thud landed on top of him.

He groaned as this could not have gone any worse.

Just what happened? Where was he?

This place wasn't familiar. He didn't recognize it. There was a chair in front of an oven, and now something heavy was on top of him…

A chair in front of an oven!

Wait, did that mean?

"Ruby?" Naruto attempted to look behind him, and cerulean eyes glanced into silver eyes for the first time.

"Naruto?"

"How am I here?" Naruto and Ruby both jumped and looked at each other in alarm, not understanding the circumstances of what had just happened. "The last thing I remember was that I was in my room and that I was glowing, and then silver light filled the room…"

"Silver light?" Ruby tilted her eyes, looking confused. "Yang said silver light filled the room when I was sad hearing mom was gone yesterday."

Naruto's eyes snapped toward Ruby, his eyes widening.

She was the cause of this? But how? She was a little girl! Did she have some sort of mystical powers like in those movies?

That was cool and all, but how was he going to get back home? Where was he in the first place?

Wait…

"Ah, you're hungry!" Naruto remembered the conversation they were having and jumped into action, turning to the kitchen they were in and saw the problem as he moved the chair to the sink and saw the pan. "Okay, this is gonna be a chore. That pan is burnt. Ruby?"

"Yes?" Ruby gazed at Naruto curiously, unsure how to respond to her friend suddenly showing up in her house but following his every movement.

"Do you know where your cleaning stuff is?"

"Under the sink."

"Duh, that makes sense." Naruto lowered his head in shame as Mikoto showed him that this morning and he felt dumb for even asking.

So searching for the materials he had used for the pan, he grinned and found something similar, even if it was in different packaging. It looked the same, so he was going to use it! "Ah, found it! Grab a chair, Ruby! I'll teach ya!"

"Okay!" Ruby hopped over and pulled a chair to learn how to clean the pan, seemingly more chipper than before.

Seeing the young girl smile brightened Naruto's heart as he began to apply what he needed and focused on the task at hand, grinning as he did. "Alright, this is what you need to do. First, you need to grab this stuff, apply and then put a little muscle into it while applying some hot water…"

"Okay!"

It took a few minutes of scrubbing, more than he would have liked, but the pot was cleaned, and he sighed in relief as Ruby looked on in awe. "It's a little harder to do, but the next time it needs to be done you'll know what to grab and how to do it. Now we need to get some water, put the noodles in, and warm it up for a few minutes."

"That it?" Ruby tilted her head curiously, eyes wide as Naruto filled the pot with some water now that it was clean.

"Yes, it is!" Naruto grinned, happy to show off a new skill he had learned, as he closed his eyes. "Then you add the flavor packet and mix it in, and it's all done! It's just a waiting game and ensuring you don't overcook it!"

As Ruby looked at Naruto in awe, he kept grinning as he moved the chair over the oven and motioned for join him. Gesturing to the dials, showing her exactly what he was doing and having her carefully observe, and pointing out what he was doing, he had set everything up, and the pot was set to boil. "Hand me the ramen, and we'll just put that in there so it can boil."

Doing as he asked, Ruby handed the package over to Naruto and opened it, removed the seasoning packet, and put the noodles in the package. "Oh, need a spoon to stir it! Make sure nothing sticks to the bottom."

"Got it." Ruby stepped down from the chair, headed to a drawer, and grabbed a spoon before returning with it. "Here!"

"Thank you very much," Naruto replied, helping Ruby back up on her chair so he could continue to show her what to do. "Now, it's just about stirring and waiting. It takes a few minutes, but once the water is good and bubbling, it is done. And you'll have some food ready to go!"

"Yay!" Ruby clapped, a dazzling smile expressed on her features that made Naruto's heart melt upon seeing it.

The girl was just too cute.

And hearing she was so sad earlier was devastating. That her mother was…

And that something was wrong with her dad? What was happening there?

Oh, he needed to keep her mind off that stuff! Heck, he had difficulty keeping his mind off things about moving into his apartment alone! And all the villagers glaring at him…

"Hey, Ruby, want to hear an awesome story?" Naruto grinned as he came up with something to fill the void while they waited for the ramen to cook. "Promise it will be a good one!"

"A story?" Ruby's eyes lit up with excitement. "Like a fairy tale!"

"Sort of!" Naruto laughed at the girl's enthusiasm and nodded. "It is about a man that helped save my village in its most dire time. A man that I want to grow up to become just like. The strongest person that ever was. The Fourth Hokage, the Hero that saved Konoha from the Nine-Tailed Fox Demon."

"And he came in riding his faithful companion, the powerful toad summon… Oh, I forgot his name!"

"That story…" Ruby softly smiled as she watched Naruto pull the pot off the burner as she turned it off as he instructed. "Is so sad… But…"

"Heroic." Naruto's eyes shimmered as he opened the seasoning and mixed it in. "That he willingly put everything on the line to protect all he held dear to him. Even if it cost him his life, that is what it means to be a hero. A sacrifice for the greater good…"

Ruby's head lowered, tears welling in her eyes as she looked down and away. "Mom…"

Naruto's head snapped to Ruby, hearing her and seeing her tears. "Ruby, I'm sorry! I didn't mean…"

"She did the same…" A sad smile crept on her face as she brought her hand to her chest, and tears rolled down her cheeks. "She fought the Grimm… To protect everyone…"

Naruto froze as he looked at the little girl before him. No wonder the story resonated so much with Ruby. He just told her a story that reminded her of her mother! But instead of bringing her sadness… It also…

It brought her some joy…

Some comfort in her heart.

Reaching out, he placed a hand on her shoulder, and he forced a smile. "Then she's a hero too. A heck of one in my book."

Naruto gasped and nearly fell off the chair as he was forcibly pulled into an embrace. But instead, he chuckled and accepted it, returning it as Ruby wept in his arms.

At least this time, he found her and could help her…

Even if he didn't know how to get back home himself…

"Ruby?"

Ruby and Naruto's eyes were snapped forward to the edge of the kitchen as a man with black hair looked upon them with wide eyes, unsure of what he was seeing, holding a few bags of groceries.

And in a dazzling flash of silver light, Naruto disappeared from the kitchen, leaving Ruby extremely confused about where her friend had gone.

"Again!" Naruto groaned as he smashed into the floor, groaning in pain as this was a very uncomfortable sensation.

"Naruto!" A familiar voice called his name, and his eyes widened.

He knew that voice.

It was the old man's.

He was home! Back in Konoha!

"What happened?"

Looking up, he saw he was in his bedroom again, seeing the old man and the silver-haired man that busted into his room when he had disappeared when he first left. And there were so many other people here too.

Unsure of what was happening, Naruto said the only thing that came to mind.

"I was helping my friend. She was in pain because her mom died."